A significant fire erupted on Sunday morning in the Marywilska 44 shopping complex in Warsaw, Poland, causing extensive damage to the vast facility. The complex, which housed approximately 1,400 shops and service outlets, was a hub for vendors, many of whom were from Vietnam.
The blaze resulted in towering columns of black smoke billowing over the area, visible from afar. According to the fire department, more than 80 per cent of the shopping complex in the Bialoleka district of Warsaw was consumed by the fire, leading to the collapse of the roof structure.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported by the police, but the impact on the traders was profound, with many facing the loss of their livelihoods. Reports from Gazeta Wyborcza suggested that some Vietnamese vendors attempted to enter the complex to salvage their goods but were prevented from doing so by security personnel.
The Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs in Poland lamented the incident, citing significant financial losses for the merchants and describing it as a tragic event affecting thousands of families.
The response effort involved various rescue teams, including chemical and environmental specialists, who worked tirelessly to contain the fire. Authorities issued warnings to residents via text messages, advising them to stay indoors with their windows closed as a precautionary measure.
Mirbud, the company owning the shopping centre, faced scrutiny as investigations into the cause of the fire commenced. The blaze reportedly began around 3:30 am, and while the investigation was ongoing, the exact cause had yet to be determined.
In response to the devastating impact on small traders, the Warsaw city administration planned to convene on Monday to discuss providing financial support to those affected. Notably, while large shopping centres typically remained closed on Sundays due to trading restrictions, small businesses were exempt, and many operated within the Marywilska 44 complex on Sundays.
